How to Control Moss in Your Lawn

Moss is one of those frustrating lawn weeds you never seem to see the back of. No matter how often you apply moss-killing products, it seems to keep coming back year after year.

Indeed, a one-off application of a moss-killing product is not the silver bullet, so how do you control moss in your lawn in New Zealand? It might take some of the following actions.

Apply a Moss-Killing Product

Moss-killing products should form part of every gardener’s arsenal, especially if you struggle with moss and achieving a healthy lawn at any time of the year. As previously mentioned, such products aren’t a silver bullet, but they can be the first step to taking control of the issue and setting you on the path to solving it permanently.

Sulphate of iron is one of the most effective options, which is the core component of most high-quality moss-killing products on the market. Sulphate of iron controls moss and feeds your lawn simultaneously.

Once the moss turns black, you can rake it out of your lawn and oversow with lawn seed to help your lawn take back over. If you’d prefer not to use chemicals on your grass, you might opt for an organic solution, such as lukewarm water with baking soda or dish soap with water.

However, it’s important to note that moss grows for many reasons and in various situations. If you don’t combat the cause of the moss growth, you can expect to see it returning before long.

De-thatch and Aerate

Moss can return year after year if it’s growing on parts of your lawn with poor drainage and compacted and damp soil. Address these problems, and you might give moss its marching orders for good.

Removing thatch and aerating your lawn might be the answer. Thatch is a layer of organic matter on top of the soil that can stop water from draining through your soil as it should. While a small amount of thatch isn’t an issue, a significant amount can be.

Use a sharp-toothed bow rake or dethatching rake to remove as much thatch as possible. Some people also hire powered dethatchers to speed up the job. Note: Your lawn isn’t going to look at its best immediately after dethatching, but it won’t look awful forever!

After dethatching, your lawn will have a chance to soak up excess moisture that might otherwise give moss a chance to take hold. However, it might be less able to do this if your soil is compacted. At least once per year, use aerating tools to pierce holes in your lawn.

Remove Shade

Moss thrives in cool, shady environments. So, it makes sense to remove whatever is creating that cool, shady environment. Something as simple as removing a shrub or pruning a tree might be all it takes to see the back of moss growth for good.

However, if moss is growing on the south side of your home, which is typically the coldest, you might consider removing the grass and using gravel or pavers.  

Improve Your Soil’s Health

Sometimes, moss grows when your soil has pH and nutrition problems. Acidic soil provides the healthiest foundation for moss growth. Perform a soil pH test to see where your soil sits, and correct the problem if your soil is too acidic.

Sometimes, alkaline powder can be the ideal solution for overly acidic soil, while some people manage to solve their moss woes with a layer of wood ash or pulverized limestone.

Fix Your Drainage Problems

If moss is still prevalent, even after trying dethatching, aeration, shade removal, and moss-killing products, you might need to consider whether your property’s drainage is to blame.

Sometimes, such issues are caused by high clay content, but they can also be caused by too much foot traffic, underlying subsoil problems, and the contours of your yard. In these situations, more intensive solutions might be required.

For example, you might need to head to your local park to kick around a ball rather than letting your children use the lawn. Or, you might need to change the contours of your yard to help excess water drain away or even dig up the lawn to change the subsoil.  

These might be solutions you consider if you’re already about to undergo significant landscaping changes. Otherwise, you might put up with the moss or use some of the other mentioned solutions to keep it at bay for most of the year.

Ask for Help

Most people experience lawn woes from time to time, and you might not have all the answers. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t get them. Never be afraid to reach out to your local lawn or garden experts for help. You might then be able to enjoy a moss-free lawn sooner than you think.